DENVER, CO – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Brewers Association (BA) are pleased to announce that J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. of Tampa, Florida, has been selected as the 2014 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year. The award, now in its eighth year, recognizes the beer distribution company that does the most to market, promote and sell craft beer. NBWA and BA presented the award jointly today at the Great American Beer Festival® in Denver, Colorado.

Windy City Distributing, LLC of Aurora, Illinois, was honored with the Craft Beer Distributor Achievement Award (first runner-up) and Maletis Beverage of Portland, Oregon, received the Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award (second runner-up).

J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. has seen a 28 percent growth in its craft beer sales over the past year alone. The company is committed to the promotion of craft beer brands and hosts craft beer trade shows for its retail customers. The company also hosts commercial craft brewer collaborations at “The Brewers Tasting Room,” where local and regional brewers are invited to attend and brew small batches of beer for sampling and promotional events. With its wide distribution network in 17 Florida counties and expansive craft beer brands, J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. provides Florida consumers both quality and variety in the beer they drink.

“The entrepreneurial spirit of craft brewers continues to add energy and excitement to the American beer industry, and America’s more than 3,300 beer distributors take great pride in serving as the vehicle to market for these brands and investing in their growth,” said NBWA President & CEO Craig Purser. “NBWA is proud to recognize J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Windy City Distributing and Maletis Beverage for their role in strengthening the craft beer segment and bringing American consumers the most extensive choice and variety of beer in the world. The craft beer category continues to grow at double digit rates thanks in part to the strong relationship between craft brewers and beer distributors.”

Brewers Association President Charlie Papazian added, “Beer distributors like J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Windy City Distributing and Maletis Beverage are providing a valuable service by giving craft brewers a presence in the marketplace. These awards recognize the creativity, innovation and specialized services independent beer distributors are providing on behalf of small and independent craft brewers.”

Download high-resolution photos of the award recipients and award logos by visiting www.nbwa.org/craft-beer-distributor-of-the-year.

View J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. photos at http://bit.ly/JJTaylorFL.

View Windy City Distributing, LLC photos at http://bit.ly/WindyCityDistributing.

View Maletis Beverage photos at http://bit.ly/Maletis.

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents the interests of America’s 3,300 licensed, independent beer distributor operations in every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring alcohol is provided safely and responsibly to consumers of legal drinking age through the three-tier, state-based system of alcohol regulation and distribution. To learn more about America’s beer distributors, visit www.AmericasBeerDistributors.com.

For additional updates from NBWA, follow @NBWABeer on Twitter, watch NBWA videos on www.youtube.com/NBWABeer and visit www.facebook.com/NBWABeer.

The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 75 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup®, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America®, SAVOR℠: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience and American Craft Beer Week. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today\'s craft brewers and homebrewers.

Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA\'s American Homebrewers Association. Follow us on Twitter.